Photo by Meg Quigley
The Trustees, in association with Boston Swing Central, will host the Roaring Twenties Lawn Party at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, 290 Argilla Rd., Ipswich, for 2 glittering days on Saturday, August 5 and Sunday, August 6, 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. The Lawn Party harkens back to the Jazz Age, the era in which the mansion at Castle Hill was built. The event will feature twenties and thirties jazz, swing dancing lessons, Charleston performances, antique autos, lawn games, and a vintage fair.
Each day will begin with a group dance lesson near the main stage at 3 p.m. On Saturday, New York jazz band Tamar Korn and A Kornucopia will headline with additional performances by Cassidy and the Orleans Kids. On Sunday, Brooklyn-based Baby Soda Jazz Band with Tamar Korn will headline with additional performances by Cassidy and the Orleans Kids. Additionally, throughout the weekend, there will be special contests; swing dance and Charleston lessons; and special performances by Boston Lindy Bomb Squad, Boston Lindy Hop, Eight Thirty ACT, and The Riff.
New for 2017 will be guided tours of the Crane Estate’s 1920s mansion! For an additional fee, attendees may take a 30-minute first-person tour guided by a Crane footman or maid as if it’s 1929.
Attendees are encouraged to come in twenties-style dress and bring a picnic supper or pick up supper from an on-site vendor. Pre-ordered picnic suppers will be available from Ferreira Foods www.ferreirafoods.com. Beer, wine, and hard cider vendors will be on hand to quench guests’ thirst.
Boston Swing Central is a dancer-formed, volunteer-run, non-profit dedicated to promoting swing dance. They hold regular dance parties every Friday in Cambridge and welcome new dancers. Please visit bostonswingcentral.org for more information.
Castle Hill, a 165-acre National Historic Landmark, was the summer home of Chicago industrialist Richard T. Crane Jr. and his family from 1910-1949. They entertained in grand style at their 59-room English-style mansion and its surrounding gardens. Now owned by The Trustees, Castle Hill on the Crane Estate is the perfect setting for a lawn party celebrating the music and dance from its hey-day.
The gates will open at 1 pm for admittance. Tickets are available only in advance and are on sale now at www.thetrustees.org. Tickets each day are $40 per person and $32 for students, seniors, and Trustees members. Children 10 and under admitted free. Two day passes are $70 per person and $52 for students, seniors, and Trustees members. Parking is on-site for $10 per car. Parking passes also are available through The Trustees website. For more information please visit the website at www.roaringtwentieslawnparty.org or call 978.356.4351.
Directions: From Rt. 128 (Exit 20A) follow Rt. 1A north for 8 mi. to Ipswich. Turn right onto Rt. 133 east and follow for 1.5 mi. Turn left onto Northgate Rd. and follow for 0.5 mi. Turn right onto Argilla Rd. and follow for 2 miles to entrance to The Crane Estate.